Germany officially became the 18th member of the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea on Friday.

The UNC is a multinational military force that oversees affairs in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea, which remain technically at war.

It was established in 1950 and tasked with restoring peace and enforcing the armistice while serving as a channel of communication with North Korea.

The UNC polices the border and has committed to help defend the South in the event of a conflict.